Fair Eliza
written in 1792
Fair Eliza - meaning Summary
Plea for Returning Love
This poem is a direct, earnest plea from a rejected lover to Eliza. The speaker begs her to look back, to spare him absolute despair, and if she cannot love him to at least hide rejection under the gentler name of friendship. He insists his only crime is loving her and promises lifelong devotion, claiming no pleasure rivals her presence. The tone mixes desperation and respectful entreaty, aiming to transform romantic loss into a softer connection rather than total abandonment.
Read Complete AnalysesTurn again, thou fair Eliza, Ae kind blink before we part; Rue on thy despairing Lover, Canst thou break his faithfu' heart? Turn again, thou fair Eliza, If to love thy heart denies, For pity hide the cruel sentence Under friendship's kind disguise! Thee, sweet maid, hae I offended? My offence is loving thee; Can'st thou wreck his peace for ever, Wha for thine would gladly die! While the life beats in my bosom, Thou shalt mix in ilka throe: Turn again, thou lovely maiden, Ae sweet smile on me bestow. Not the bee upon the blossom, In the pride o' sinny noon; Not the little sporting fairy, All beneath the simmer moon; Not the Poet in the moment Fancy lightens in his e'e, Kens the pleasure, feels the rapture, That thy presence gies to me.
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